photo by: Carter Gaskins/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes during practice on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Lawrence.

Updated 1:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2024:

The Kansas football program will enter 2025 with its third offensive coordinator in three years.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Friday afternoon that Jeff Grimes, who spent his first season in Lawrence in 2024 as KU’s assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, was a target to take over the OC role at Wisconsin. Then, on Saturday, Thamel’s colleague Adam Rittenberg reported that Grimes reached a deal with Wisconsin, and KU announced the promotion of co-offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski to offensive coordinator.

Wisconsin and its head coach Luke Fickell were looking to replace Phil Longo, who was fired on Nov. 17 after two seasons. This will be the second straight year for KU losing an OC to a Big Ten Conference school after Penn State poached Andy Kotelnicki last December.

Grimes, who previously served as the OC at Baylor, frequently spoke during the 2024 season about his desire not to displace much of the successful preexisting offensive system fostered by Kotelnicki and head coach Lance Leipold. The year got off to a rocky start for the Jayhawks on offense, but after quarterback Jalon Daniels settled back into playing in his return from a long-term back injury, and after Grimes moved up to the box from the sideline four games into the season, KU’s offense turned into one of the Big 12’s top units.

The Jayhawks finished their season averaging a league-best 6.6 yards per play despite their 5-7 record. The offensive line under fellow new coaching hire Daryl Agpalsa was a particular strength throughout the year, with three starters receiving second-team All-Big 12 honors on Thursday and another an honorable mention. Thamel wrote, “Hiring Grimes, who has an offensive line background, would reconnect Wisconsin with its power run roots.”

Grimes’ reported departure adds another element of discontinuity to a KU offense that is already losing potentially its top three running backs, top four wide receivers, three of its top four tight ends and three offensive line starters. The Jayhawks did learn on Friday night that they will retain starting quarterback Jalon Daniels.